Sailor Songs & Shanties

Nature Program

Michael Goddard
Performs
SAILOR SONGS & SHANTIES

Sea shanties are the work songs used on ships during the Age of Sail. The role of music, and in particular these rhythmic songs, were very important as they served to both boost onboard morale on long voyages and to coordinate the brute strength of the sailors.

Join the fun with Michael Goddard on tenor banjo, bodhran, and tin whistle, as he presents some of these maritime songs from primary historical documents. Sea Shanties have loud choruses that everyone can learn quickly! A history teacher at Billerica Memorial High School and adjunct professor at Middlesex Community College, Mike has been studying New England history and singing folk songs for over 11 years. Based in Lowell, Massachusetts, he has played music in coffee shops, campgrounds, summer camps, family kitchens, and many a public house!

This event is fun for the whole family, shanties have loud choruses that everyone can learn quickly!